Impact of Fortified Organic Nutrient-Rich Solid Nutrioball and Nutriomix on Yield and Nutrient Use Efficiency of Maize

Maize is a nutrient-intensive crop needing both macro- and micro-nutrients. Overuse of inorganic fertilizers boosts yield initially but depletes soil health over time. This study explores a sustainable approach using organic-inorganic nutrient blends in two forms, i.e., Nutrioball (pellet) and Nutriomix (powder), for localized placement, ensuring continuous and controlled nutrient delivery to the root zone. A pot experiment was conducted to assess the nutrient support provided to hybrid maize crop fertilized with 40 g of Nutriomix/ Nutrioball in two split doses (at sowing and at 40th day after sowing) and to compare its performance to standard 100% N-P-K dose derived from soil test-based recommendations and unfertilized control. Nutrioballs were placed in soil at a depth of 5 cm near root zone, and Nutriomix was applied to the surface and mixed with the top 5 cm soil. Seven grades were formulated with varying N-P-K ratios. Deep placement with Nutrioball D grade (7:7:1 of N, P₂O₅, and K₂O) produced the maximum stover quantity (258.0 g pot^-1) and grain yield (123.4 g pot^-1) of maize, which was 14.6% greater than that obtained in soil test-based N-P-K application and 269.5% higher than the control. The apparent recovery measured for total applied nutrients was 70.4% for N, 45.7% for P, and 429.6% for K. Nutrioball C (7:5:4) and Nutrioball F (8:2:1) showed a significant response while the surface-incorporated Nutriomix composites were moderately effective.